Wrongful Death Lawsuit Filed In Case Of Man Shot By Police In Norwich

NORWICH — A wrongful death lawsuit has been filed against the town in the case of a man shot and killed by police in February.

The claim alleges that Michael Dugas was unarmed when police fired 41 shots shots at him on the evening of Feb. 24.

"Despite the fact that Mr. Dugas was surrounded on all sides and not armed with a deadly weapon, the officers opened fire on him," said a notice from Robert I. Reardon, Jr., attorney for Dugas' estate.

According to police at the time of the shooting, the 52-year-old was despondent and told officers on scene he had a weapon. Police said he refused to follow officers' commands and that after they attempted to communicate with him for an unspecified period of time, Dugas suddenly drew a handgun from his pocket and pointed it at them.

Several officers fired in self-defense, police said.

Police had been called to the neighborhood park in the area of Laurel Hill Avenue and Center Street at 7:18 p.m. for a report of a man with a gun. Dugas lived at 172 Laurel Hill Ave.

The state police and the New London County State Attorney's Office took charge of the investigation and the officers involved were placed on administrative leave, as is the policy for any officer-involved shooting.